January 2015

The biggest thing going on this weekend – not only for St. Paulians, but for Americans, is the Super Bowl. That said, however, I came across several bits of other news that might be of interest.

Super Bowl Weekend!

Sunday is the day and whether you’re a Pats or a Seahawks fan, celebrating is the name of the game. Just a heads up, though, that the police will be out in full force all weekend. According to TwinCities.com, 24 percent more people get popped for DWI this weekend than in the week before and the week after the Super Bowl.

So Minnesota troopers will be adding extra patrols.

If you prefer watching the Super Bowl with loads of others, there are a few bars in town with big screens and where the beer and food will be flowing. Red Cow,

Saint Paul is the name of a city that many people consider to be a renaissance city with a real old world European feel and charm to it. The question a lot of people have is really simple – what is it that makes people feel this way about this city? It has quite a bit to do with what the city has to offer the people who live there as well as the people who pass through.

The Hotels

This city is home to a very unique range of hotels. In total, there are more than 1,500 hotel rooms for you to choose from. The beauty of the hotels in downtown Saint Paul is that you really do not worry about them going anywhere. They are invested into this city with very expensive expansions and remodels. Most of the hotels are connected to the skyway system which

You will find some of the most unique buildings in Saint Paul's Summit Avenue. There are many Victoria buildings and some of the oldest houses with amazing landscapes. Anyone who has been to the Summit area feels like it's a real community with tight knit residents. As some of Minnesota's oldest homes you can see a lot of history when you visit.

What to Expect

The Summit Avenue Area is home to the Western Sculpture Park and the Stepping Stone Theatre. It is also home to the Cathedral of Saint Paul.

David Mark "Dave" Winfield

The Summit Avenue Area also claims Dave Winfield as their own. This is a former American Major League Baseball player that was born in October of 1951. He was a right fielder and played for 22 different teams during

The weekend is so close – and one of the most popular events of the Winter Carnival, Red Bull Crashed Ice, gets underway tomorrow. Did you know there were over 120,000 spectator’s at last year’s Crashed Ice race? CNN even listed it on their “19 Events Worth Traveling for in 2015” list, according to CBS Minnesota’s Ali Lucia.

This afternoon at 3:00 you can catch the elimination round and then at 6:00 this evening the teams challenge gets underway.

Tomorrow, though is the day when the fastest skaters race. There will be 64 males and 16 females vying for the championship.

In case you’re new to the Winter Carnival, the Red Bull Crashed Ice event is basically downhill racing on skates. These athletes skate up to 60 miles per hour and the jump is

Grand Avenue is full of shopping and fun. This is the place to be if you want to find the right type of stores and all kinds of fun things to do. The tree-lined streets and the close proximity to downtown make this an ideal area for those looking for convenience.

Grand Old Day

This area of the city is very well-known for the Grand Old Day event, which is the largest one-day festival in the Midwest. This festival started back in 1973 and has been held on the first Sunday of June every year since. It's known as the kick off to the summer and includes all types of food, plenty of live music and plenty of other things to enjoy. If you want to get a true feel for Grand Avenue, this is the event to attend.

Finding a great place for lunch isn't hard in the St. Paul area. There are plenty of places you can go for lunch throughout the city. Here are some of the top choices.

Downtowner Woodfire Grill - 253 West 7th Street

This spot serves all types of fire-grilled meats and provides a menu of American choices with a Persian influence. The interior provides dark woods, leather and a fireplace to provide a great atmosphere. You will find steak, pork loin, swordfish, gourmet pizzas and many other items on the menu here.

Cafe Latte - 850 Grand Avenue

If you want to enjoy dessert with your lunch, this is the place to go. Cafe Latte is also known for breads and plenty of other items. You can find all types of great drinks, pizzas, salads and other

Tomorrow is the day! Hockey Day Minnesota 2015 kicks off at Saint Paul’s Holman Field. Now in its eighth year, the event is one of the most anticipated in Minnesota.

This year it will be a bit different because it aims to honor members of our military, both here and overseas. Thus, the reason it’s being held at an active airfield. In fact, teams will hit the ice from a Chinook helicopter and all games played tomorrow will be streamed live to troops from Minnesota, based in Kuwait.

Tonight and tomorrow we’ll be able to soak in high school teams, youth teams, military teams and even first-responder teams composed of our very own St. Paul police and fire fighters.

Serving Our Troops, a local non-profit, is partnering this year with the Minnesota

We’re less than two weeks away from this year’s St. Paul Winter Carnival and I thought it might be fun to take a look, both this week and next, at what’s on tap this time around.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Skating!

The Wells Fargo Winter Skate opens for everyone on Thursday, the first official day of the Winter Carnival. Head to Landmark Plaza for the fun. Skate rentals are available ($4 unless you have a Wells Fargo bank card, then there is no charge).

Skating is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays you can skate from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Runs through February 1.

Scavenge!

West 7th is in the Irvine Park neighborhood that happens to be home to some of the most historic homes in the area. It is an area always alive before and after events in downtown Saint Paul. It is home to Saint Paul’s first craft brewery and is also has a growing art scene. Here some just some of the Dining choices available in West 7th.

Liffey Irish Pub

This pub has a true Irish flare. The wood bar was handmade in Ireland but the full bar and draft beers have the Irish American tradition feel and taste.

Liffey is the name of the river that runs through Ireland and the pub is close to the Mississippi so its name was chosen for this fact. Enjoy your beer and cocktails and meal in this cozy restaurant or enjoy the large seating area on the